Desert Christians

An Introduction to the Literature of Early Monasticism

William Harmless

Desert Christians

An Introduction to the Literature of Early Monasticism

William Harmless

Description

In this book, William Harmless provides an accessible introduction to early Christian monastic literature from Egypt and beyond. He introduces the reader to the major figures and literary texts, as well offering an up-to-date survey of current questions and scholarship in the field. The text is enhanced by the inclusion of chronologies, maps, outlines, illustrations, and bibliographies. The book will not only serve as a text for graduate and advanced undergraduate courses on early Christianity, the Desert Fathers, and Christian asceticism, but it should stimulate further research by making the fruits of recent scholarship more readily and widely available.

Desert Christians

An Introduction to the Literature of Early Monasticism

William Harmless

Author Information

William Harmless, Thomas E. Caestecker Chair in the Liberal Arts and Professor of Theology, Spring Hill College

Desert Christians

An Introduction to the Literature of Early Monasticism

William Harmless

Reviews and Awards

"Dr Harmless has produced a comprehensive introduction to the major figures in the Egyptian tradition...the book is thoroughly impressive and will undoubtedly prove very useful...splendid resource." - Augustine Casiday, SJT

"this volume offers a solid, balanced, well-researched, and clearly written introduction to and survey of early Egyptian monasticism." - Tim Vivian, Sobornost

"There is no doubt that this is an engaging, fascinating, and informative study...It belongs on the shelf of any student of early church history and monasticism." - A. D. Rich, Journal of Theological Studies

"Why waste words? - this is a thoroughly admirable book ... an accomplished and unassuming piece of scholarship." - David Satran, Scripta Classica Israelica